Emerging Technologies

AI-enabled systems routinely fly mock dogfights between fighters within visual range of each other. The next step is to unlock air combat beyond visual range.

Wayfarer’s Waylift system, tested with NASA support, uses stowable electric propellers to enable short takeoffs and landings with high efficiency.

Isar Aerospace eyes its first commercial launch this year after achieving orbital success, with plans to scale-up production to meet demand.

EASA and the commercial air transport industry are lagging in adopting AI, according to the regulator's executive director Florian Guillermet.

ITEC is working toward standardizing air traffic control systems with its new SkyNex air traffic management system planned for first delivery later this year.

Venturi Space used the International Space Summit in Paris to unveil the Alta Luna, an astronaut-driven rover, to support future lunar-base operations.

The German aerospace center DLR is looking to construct vertiport infrastructure at its Cochstedt facility to better assess how future operations might work.

DLR low-altitude tests; Dronamics uncrewed cargo trials; DARPA’s first Lift Challenge; Tekever VTOL uses hydraulic propulsion; and Sceye lighter-than-air HAPS.

Since landing on Mars in February 2021, the rover has put more than 28 mi. on its odometer.

Boom Supersonic nears engine core testing for its Overture airliner, aiming for boomless cruise and faster propulsion development with vertical integration.

EU ETS reform proposes contrail incentives but excludes turboprops, despite their natural ability to avoid persistent contrail formation.

Amadeus partners with Anthropic to integrate AI tools like Claude, enabling developers and travel professionals to access travel content and systems seamlessly.

Airbus Helicopters expands into AI, uncrewed systems and anti-drone tech while balancing military and commercial growth under Matthieu Louvot’s leadership.

Self-consuming propulsion system developer Alpha Impulsion has formed alliances with European companies to design a mini-launcher for small satellites.

Regent’s Viceroy takes flight as the company shifts from testing toward production and expands its defense ambitions.

Jet Zero Australia has secured A$30 million ($22 million) in funding and final development approval for its planned sustainable aviation fuel production facility.

Cathay Pacific and Google are expanding their partnership to scale up AI-powered contrail-avoidance system usage to reduce climate impact from contrails.

A warning by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russian airspace has become “completely unsafe” prompts further scrutiny of how commercial airspace is being weaponized in today’s increasingly frequent asymmetric wars.

Light Links is developing laser-based optical communications and drone IFF technology for commercial robotics and military applications.

The space telescope’s mission could extend beyond 10 years if the spacecraft servicing industry matures.

The FAA’s eIPP is accelerating real-world operations with a diverse range of advanced aircraft and missions.

The Nancy Grace Roman Telescope is intended to take galaxy censuses that could reveal what is wrong with the Standard Model of particle physics.

Beyond Aero has partnered with London City Airport and Aeroports de la Cote d'Azur to explore infrastructure for its hydrogen-electric business aircraft planned for the early 2030s.

IATA urges Europe to extend flexibility for EES border checks, citing operational challenges and risks of congestion if the system is fully implemented now.

Archer Aviation will expand U.S. city-to-city testing of its Midnight electric air taxi, starting in Northern California and extending to Southern California, Texas and Florida.